Underage drinking is a public-health problem that can lead to severe physical, mental, and legal consequences for the youth engaging in the activity. While adolescents may drink for positive mental or social side effects, the negative effects are numerous and may take years to show. Other People Are Reading The Side Effects of Teens Not Getting Enough Sleep Health Effects of Drinking Alcohol as a Teen Legal Consequences If a person under the age of 21 is caught drinking (or in possession of) alcohol, they will most likely receive minor-in possession charges. Punishments and language describing an offense vary between states; however, the offense will always be a misdemeanor and is likely to end up on a person's permanent record. A minor in possession can receive punishments of fines, community service and a revoked license.

• If a person under the age of 21 is caught drinking (or in possession of) alcohol, they will most likely receive minor-in possession charges. Punishments and language describing an offense vary between states; however, the offense will always be a misdemeanor and is likely to end up on a person's permanent record. A minor in possession can receive punishments of fines, community service and a revoked license.


• Drinking alcohol before or during puberty can upset the body's hormonal balance, affecting the normal development of organs, muscles and bones. The hormonal changes during puberty in both males and females include sex hormones, estrogen, testosterone, and affect the reproductive system.


• While the brain is developing, even subtle internal changes caused by drinking can have long-lasting effects on memory and thinking. At this point, research can't determine how severe the side effects will be from heavy drinking during adolescence.


• The growing adolescent brain can allow an underage drinker to consume larger amounts of alcohol in one sitting. The unusually high alcohol tolerance can lead to binge-drinking, long-lasting high tolerance and alcoholism.


• Approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die annually as a result of alcohol consumption. The highest number of youth alcohol-related deaths are from motor-vehicle accidents, followed by homicide, suicide and unintended accidents such as falls or burns.


• The brain develops well into a person's 20s, which could explain risky behavior associated with adolescents, and alcohol only intensifies those behaviors. Research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that underage binge-drinkers are more likely to try drugs and have sex with six or more partners, putting them at greater risk for STDs and pregnancy.

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As you enter your 20s, you may find that more and more social situations you encounter will involve alcohol. Many people, in their 20s and older, have the occasional drink to unwind after work or on weekends, while others engage in heavy binge drinking. Alcohol is technically a poison and an intoxicant, and even small amounts can affect your health in both the short term and the long term. Other People Are Reading How to Tell If Your Liver Is Enlarged? How to Reverse the Effects of Alcohol Before 40 Temporary Effects One of alcohol's temporary effects, and its most endearing, is its ability to intoxicate the drinker. The human body can metabolize approximately one standard drink, equivalent to one 12-ounce bottle of beer, one 4-ounce glass of wine or 1 ounce of 40 percent alcohol, per hour. Anything consumed beyond this amount is absorbed by the bloodstream until the liver can metabolize it. When the bloodstream is saturated with alcohol, the person feels drunk and may experience feelings of euphoria, balance problems, light-headedness, lowered inhibition, increased reaction time, vomiting or slurred speech. Several hours later, usually the morning after a night of heavy drinking, the body processes the alcohol out and many people experience a hangover. This is caused by dehydration, since alcohol is a diuretic, and is accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Binge drinking can also lead to alcohol poisoning, coma and death.

• One of alcohol's temporary effects, and its most endearing, is its ability to intoxicate the drinker. The human body can metabolize approximately one standard drink, equivalent to one 12-ounce bottle of beer, one 4-ounce glass of wine or 1 ounce of 40 percent alcohol, per hour. Anything consumed beyond this amount is absorbed by the bloodstream until the liver can metabolize it. When the bloodstream is saturated with alcohol, the person feels drunk and may experience feelings of euphoria, balance problems, light-headedness, lowered inhibition, increased reaction time, vomiting or slurred speech. Several hours later, usually the morning after a night of heavy drinking, the body processes the alcohol out and many people experience a hangover. This is caused by dehydration, since alcohol is a diuretic, and is accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Binge drinking can also lead to alcohol poisoning, coma and death.


• While alcohol may seem essential to social situations while you are in your 20s, heavy use can damage relationships. Lowered inhibitions while under the influence can lead people to say or do things they might not when they are sober, leading to fights. A perceived alcohol abuse problem can also destroy social relationships, an...

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Binge drinking is a term that describes consuming alcohol solely for the purpose of becoming drunk, whether the alcohol is beer, wine or liquor. Binge drinking is commonly done in social settings, oftentimes with college-aged individuals. Many potentially harmful effects and consequences can occur as a result of engaging in binge drinking, as the behavior can lead to both short and long-term results. Other People Are Reading Reasons for Teenage Binge Drinking The Effects of Teenage Binge Drinking Short-Term Physical Effects Binge drinking can trigger a variety of unpleasant short-term effects. These effects include loss of memory, injuring yourself or other people, dehydration, shakiness, nausea and hangover. These physical effects tend to take place hours or less after participating in binge drinking.

• Binge drinking can trigger a variety of unpleasant short-term effects. These effects include loss of memory, injuring yourself or other people, dehydration, shakiness, nausea and hangover. These physical effects tend to take place hours or less after participating in binge drinking.


• Binge drinking can lead to serious difficulties in concentrating and focus, whether on the job or in a classroom. Binge drinking is particularly risky for younger people, as excessive alcohol in the system can have negative effects on brains that are still developing.


• Intoxication often brings upon problems with judgment. When people are drunk, they are less likely to be inhibited and as a result often do things that they otherwise wouldn't do. Binge drinking can cause people to make decisions that are less than smart, such as participating in sexual activity without protection or drunk driving, which is often fatal.


• One of the chronic problems associated with binge drinking is bad skin. Alcohol can wreak havoc onto the complexion by stripping it of its natural oils, which results in peeling, cracked and dry skin. Excessive alcohol consumption also can bring upon the flushing of the cheeks. This is due to the dilation of the capillaries, which causes higher amounts of blood to rise. The excess pressure forces the capillaries to burst, which results in permanent skin damage on the face.


• Binge drinking can lead to both short and long-term weight gain. Although many people do not seem to think about it, alcohol is packed with empty calories. Each gram of alcohol consumed is full of calories, which doesn't even factor in the other things that might be hidden in the drink, whether it's soda or pineapple juice.


• Drinking too much alcohol can bring upon a variety of health conditions, including serious liver and brain damage, the risk of stomach ulcers, throat and mouth cancer and higher chance of developing sexual issues (such...

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Binge drinking may seem like a rite of passage for college students, but this activity has dangerous consequences. College students who drink risk harm to themselves and others, and may face legal consequences for underage drinking or drinking and driving. Moreover, they put their grades and academic standing at risk. In fact, 70 percent of frequent binge drinkers experienced educational problems, compared to about 15 percent of non-drinkers, according to "Binge Drinking on America's College Campuses," published by Henry Wechsler in conjunction with the Harvard School of Public Health in 2000. Other People Are Reading Facts About Alcoholism in Students The Effects of Alcohol on the College Student Sleep Deprivation Late-night drinking can impact a college student's sleep schedule, which can negatively impact her studies. Drinking disrupts sleep patterns, making it difficult for students to stay awake and concentrate during the day in class, according to Nemours Teens Health. Exhaustion and an inability to concentrate means students will not absorb information in their classes or while studying, resulting in academic troubles.

• Late-night drinking can impact a college student's sleep schedule, which can negatively impact her studies. Drinking disrupts sleep patterns, making it difficult for students to stay awake and concentrate during the day in class, according to Nemours Teens Health. Exhaustion and an inability to concentrate means students will not absorb information in their classes or while studying, resulting in academic troubles.


• After a night of drinking, college students often wake up feeling hung over. This recovery period leads to missed classes, and it wastes time that students could spend studying or in class, according to the Virginia Tech Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center. Harvard's "Binge Drinking on America's College Campuses" study reports that students who drink are 17 times more likely to miss a class than those who do not.


• Due to widespread binge drinking on many college campuses, some schools are cracking down on underage drinking and other alcohol-related offenses by instituting strict alcohol policies for their students. For example, Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts disciplines students for every alcohol-related offense, such as drinking under the age of 21, using a fake ID or providing alcohol to minors. The school suspends or expels students who repeatedly violate the policy. Therefore, by drinking excessively and illegally, students risk their standing at their schools and, ultimately, their academic career.


• The Virginia Tech Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center reports that alcohol use...

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Alcoholism is a silent epidemic affecting thousands of us around the world. But sometimes, the signs are not clear: how can you tell if you or someone else is engaged in "binge" drinking, an excessive amount of alcohol consumption in a short time? These general rules can apply to yourself or someone else who is bent on getting as much down their throat as possible. Other People Are Reading How to Recognize a Drinking Problem How to Stop Binge Drinking Instructions 1 Distinguish binge drinking from social drinking. The distinction might not be readily obvious to you, so you'll need to learn to think analytically about it. You're at a public event, or a group event, a dinner party or a backyard barbeque. You have a drink, a glass of wine at a banquet, or a beer on your neighbor's patio, just to be social. Then you have another. On the third, you need to think about the reason you opened the bottle or poured the glass. It may have been offered to you, sure, but you're the one drinking it. Set a limit that differentiates light drinking from a Blood Alcohol Content debacle.

• Distinguish binge drinking from social drinking. The distinction might not be readily obvious to you, so you'll need to learn to think analytically about it. You're at a public event, or a group event, a dinner party or a backyard barbeque. You have a drink, a glass of wine at a banquet, or a beer on your neighbor's patio, just to be social. Then you have another. On the third, you need to think about the reason you opened the bottle or poured the glass. It may have been offered to you, sure, but you're the one drinking it. Set a limit that differentiates light drinking from a Blood Alcohol Content debacle.


• Watch for that "point of no return." For many drinkers, there is a moment when drinking activity can go one of two ways: a full stop or a full speed ahead. This point can be between drinks or in the middle of a drink. It's the moment when enough alcohol enters your system that the drunk-loving part of your mind is wanting to cut loose, and the sensible part is noticing loss of inhibitions or motor impairment, or the first signs of inebriation. Learning to take control at this pivotal moment will bring your binging under control.


• Do empty bottle counts. This is particularly useful when you're drinking alone or in private where you may not be able to keep track of how many you've had. Set up all of your empty bottles and count them to accurately assess how much alcohol is inside you. Then try your best to make a clear, rational decision.


• Look at overall health effects to identify a pattern of binge drinking. Measuring the intensity of a hangover is a good way to tell whether someone is bing...

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Many binge drinkers are under age 21; so educating young people about the health risks of binge drinking is important. Binge drinking is involved in the three leading causes of death among young people so learning about these health risks will help to deter this behavior. Read on to learn more. Other People Are Reading What Is a Binge Drinker? Long-Term Physical Effects of Alcohol Abuse Instructions 1 Understand how binge drinking affects decision-making skills. Because alcohol lowers inhibitions, binge drinkers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that have an adverse affect on their health such as doing drugs or engaging in unprotected sex.

• Understand how binge drinking affects decision-making skills. Because alcohol lowers inhibitions, binge drinkers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that have an adverse affect on their health such as doing drugs or engaging in unprotected sex.


• Know how binge drinking leads to alcohol poisoning. Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows your body functions down. Alcohol poisoning occurs when the level of alcohol in the body is so high that it slows the heart rate and respiratory system to dangerously low levels, which can lead to death.


• Comprehend how alcohol damages the body's organs such as the liver. Damage to the liver over a period of time will lead to cirrhosis and an increased a risk of liver cancer. Studies show that women who binge drink have a significantly increased risk of breast cancer. Alcohol also damages brain cells.


• Identify how binge drinking increases your risk of bodily harm. Binge drinking causes a loss of coordination and balance. This loss of coordination leads to tripping and falling, which can lead to broken bones and head injuries.


• Recognize how binge drinking affects emotional health. Binge drinkers are more likely to develop emotional problems such as depression and have low self-esteem because of their drinking. These behavioral problems can lead to increased risky behaviors that compromise their physical health.

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Alcohol is a drug; one that many teenagers are addicted to. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks at one time. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 35 percent of adults suffering from an alcohol problem developed symptoms by the time they were 19 years old. Teenagers binge drink because they are curious, they think it will make them feel good, they want to feel older, or they want to reduce stress. Addressing teenage binge drinking can be difficult; however, it's a necessary step for every parent. Other People Are Reading Signs of Teenage Drinking How to Talk to a Teen About Underage Drinking Instructions 1 Look for signs of teenage bringe drinking. These may include peculiar behavior, a change in friends, staying out late at night or stealing money to buy alcohol.

• Look for signs of teenage bringe drinking. These may include peculiar behavior, a change in friends, staying out late at night or stealing money to buy alcohol.


• Talk to your child about your concerns, making sure to do more listening than talking. Have casual, ongoing conversations by asking her questions about binge drinking.


• Explain the dangers of binge drinking. Many teenagers don't realize how much alcohol there is in certain drinks. Explain that sweet drinks, even if they contain juice or soda, contain significant amounts of alcohol.


• Consider early intervention and therapeutic programs to keep your child from slipping into a serious alcohol problem. These include nature programs and wilderness camps.


• Get help from another adult the teenager trusts. Some kids don't want to open up to their parent about the pressures to drink, but they may feel more comfortable with a family friend, relative or school counselor. Enlist the help of this other person to start a conversation about the dangers of binge drinking.

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Teens who consume five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting are considered binge drinkers. Preventing teen binge drinking can help prevent future alcohol dependence and health problems. Parents should know and discuss with their children the facts about teenage binge drinking while their kids are still young, to help prevent alcohol abuse in the future. Other People Are Reading Facts About Teenage Drinking Teenage Drinking Laws Poor Judgment Alcohol causes impaired judgment and can lead a teen to make poor decisions regarding sexual activity, relationships, education, money and other issues. Alcohol can also cause a teen to behave violently. In fact, a 2003 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that teens who engaged in binge drinking were four times more likely to have been in a physical fight in the past year than teens who did not drink.

• Alcohol causes impaired judgment and can lead a teen to make poor decisions regarding sexual activity, relationships, education, money and other issues. Alcohol can also cause a teen to behave violently. In fact, a 2003 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that teens who engaged in binge drinking were four times more likely to have been in a physical fight in the past year than teens who did not drink.


• The brains of teenagers are still developing. Binge drinking can stunt development and even cause long-term brain damage. The CDC survey revealed that teen binge drinkers achieve lower overall grades than their nondrinking peers. Binge drinking can also permanently impact the teenager's memory, according to WebMD.


• According to the 2005 SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, "Adults age 21 or older who had first used alcohol before age 21 were more likely than adults who had their first drink at age 21 or older to be classified with alcohol dependence or abuse (9.6% vs. 2.1%)." Alcoholism is a lifelong battle for many and is something teens need to be protected from, warns SADD, also known as Students Against Destructive Decisions.


• In addition to the health issues surrounding teenage binge drinking, it is illegal. Teens who are prosecuted for underage drinking may have difficulty getting into their college of choice or getting a job. The consequences are even greater if the teen is found driving under the influence of alcohol.

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Binge drinking is drinking at least five alcoholic beverages in a row for men and four in a row for women. Binge drinking has detrimental short-term and long-term effects and can lead to a permanent alcohol addiction. Alcohol is an addictive substance, causing many people to feel unable to stop binge drinking. There are many tools and techniques that can be used to quit binge drinking. Other People Are Reading How to Cleanse After an Alcohol Binge How to Cleanse and Get Rid of Alcohol From Your System Throw Away Your Alcohol Although it may seem obvious, many people who wish to stop binge drinking don't throw away their alcohol. Don't keep a spare bottle lying around the house; the alcohol will be too much of a temptation to resist. If you know that you can't control yourself, don't keep any alcohol where you can access it. If you live with other people, tell them that you don't want to binge drink anymore. If they support you, they will keep you accountable and not let you possess alcohol.

• Although it may seem obvious, many people who wish to stop binge drinking don't throw away their alcohol. Don't keep a spare bottle lying around the house; the alcohol will be too much of a temptation to resist. If you know that you can't control yourself, don't keep any alcohol where you can access it. If you live with other people, tell them that you don't want to binge drink anymore. If they support you, they will keep you accountable and not let you possess alcohol.


• Joining a support group is the best thing you can do if you can't stop binge drinking. Get acquainted with like-minded people who share your struggle. This gives you people to share your successes and failures with. They can help keep you accountable and share their tips and techniques with you. Sometimes people have difficulties admitting that they have a problem with alcohol. If you have a problem, the best thing you can do is get help.


• Educate yourself on the facts about alcohol abuse. Learn what alcohol does to your body, and think about what you've learned the next time you're tempted to take a drink. Alcohol has many damaging short-term and long-term effects. Many people die from liver failure in the long run or alcohol poisoning in the short run.


• Alcohol can hurt the people around you. Everyone has people who care about them. By binge drinking, you are causing emotional harm to the people in your life that truly care about you. Binge drinking ruins relationships, families and friendships. The next time alcohol beckons to you, think about the people you are close with in your life.

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To many teens, drinking may seem like a perfectly acceptable pastime or even a rite of passage. In 2005, approximately 10.8 million people between ages 12 and 20 (about 28 percent of them) reported drinking within the past month (2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health). Of this group, about 7.2 million reported binge drinking. Since teen drinking is so prevalent, it is important for teens and adults to be aware of its dangers so that they may make educated decisions about using alcohol. Other People Are Reading Risks of Teenage Drinking Drug & Alcohol Use in Colleges Brain Development According to the "We Don't Serve Teens" campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in conjunction with other concerned groups and agencies, research shows that a teen's brain is still developing and that it will continue to develop until a person is in his or her early 20s. This same research suggests that if a teen's brain is exposed to alcohol, it may cause long-lasting intellectual impediments. It may also increase a person's chances of becoming addicted to alcohol later in life.

• According to the "We Don't Serve Teens" campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in conjunction with other concerned groups and agencies, research shows that a teen's brain is still developing and that it will continue to develop until a person is in his or her early 20s. This same research suggests that if a teen's brain is exposed to alcohol, it may cause long-lasting intellectual impediments. It may also increase a person's chances of becoming addicted to alcohol later in life.


• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car crashes are the primary cause of death in people between ages of 15 and 20 and that drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 are two times more likely to become involved in a car crash than drivers who are older than 21. In 2005, 28 percent of drivers who died in car crashes were between the ages of 15 and 20 had been drinking.


• The 2005 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggests that teens between ages 12 and 17 were almost 20 percent more likely to have a "major depressive episode" in the past year if they abused alcohol or illicit drugs. The "We Don't Serve Teens" campaign also reports that alcohol contributes to 300 teen suicides in the United States every year and that teens who drink are two times more likely to contemplate committing suicide than students who do not drink.


• Teen drinkers are more likely to have sexual intercourse than teens who do not drink. Additionally, according to the "We Don't Serve Teens" campaign, these teens are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors such as neglecting to use birth control. The 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that among almost 34 ...

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